WA Liberals make $60m pledge to complete Margaret River Hospital expansion before 2030

WA Liberals leader Libby Mettam has promised her party will start and finish the Margaret River Hospital expansion in its first term of government if elected. The $60 million pledge seeks to address the hospital’s ageing infrastructure and conditions impacting staff wellbeing. Ms Mettam said investment into the hospital was long overdue. “A Mettam Liberal Government will start and finish the Margaret River Hospital by the end of our first term,” she said. “Our $60m commitment will reverse the divestment and deliver locals in the Margaret River region, along with the thousands of tourists who visit every year, the healthcare services they deserve.” The hospital has come under scrutiny in recent times, with the Opposition claiming staff are suffering due to workloads. Liberal candidate for Warren-Blackwood Wade De Campo confirmed the pledge did not yet include specific detail on what the expansion would look like, but said it would use the business case undertaken by the WA Country Health Service as a basis. That business case has yet to be publicly released despite calls from the opposition, with Labor MLC Pierre Yang saying on behalf of Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson the document couldn’t be released due to its commercial confidentiality. Mr De Campo said the hospital announcement was important for the community. “Many in our community have long been advocating for a commitment to fully funding and building the Margaret River Hospital expansion — this outcome is nothing short of what our region deserves,” he said. “Margaret River isn’t asking for a Fiona Stanley-style tertiary hospital — we’re just asking for a primary hospital that is fit for purpose. “Margaret River Hospital is essential for ensuring the future of regional health for the whole region — I know this announcement will be keenly welcomed by locals and visitors alike.” In response to questions from the Times about the Nationals WA’s pledge to invest into the South West hospital last week, a State Government spokesperson said the facility was still operating at a good level. “The Margaret River Hospital continues to provide high-quality care to the local community,” they said. “The State Government is delivering significant healthcare upgrades in the South West, including the $451m redevelopment of Bunbury Health Campus and additional paid paramedics in Margaret River, Busselton and east Bunbury. “The WA Country Health Service also recently launched an award-winning midwifery group practice model in Margaret River.” The seat of Warren-Blackwood is set to be hotly contested in the 2025 State election, with the Nationals’ Bevan Eatts and Mr De Campo aiming to take the traditionally conservative seat off Labor incumbent Jane Kelsby who won it on a thin margin of 1.3 per cent.